Thinking of the upcoming attack, Sokov could not stay in the city for a minute. He declined the kindness of the division chief of staff and hurriedly left Susinich with his men.
Two hours later, he arrived at the offensive starting position not far from Popkovo and found his troops. Seeing his return, Belkin asked curiously: "Comrade battalion commander, the division commander ordered you to rush to Sushinich. Is there anything important?"
After listening to Sokov's talk about the simple flag-presenting ceremony, Belkin said with regret: "It's a pity, it's such a pity. It's such a pity that I couldn't participate in such an important ceremony."
"Don't worry, Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander, there will be opportunities like this in the future." After comforting his Deputy Battalion Commander, Sokov asked directly: "Have you figured out the terrain here?"
"Yes, Comrade Battalion Commander. Lieutenant Christopher, the reconnaissance platoon leader, personally led a few people to conduct a reconnaissance of the surrounding terrain." Belkin pointed to a hand-drawn map on the table and said to Sokov: "Popkovo is located on high ground. The Germans can use firepower to block the main roads leading to villages and towns in the ring fortifications. However, we found two additional trails, so they were covered with heavy snow and were inconvenient to move. The German defenses there were It’s not strict.”
Sokov remembered that before heading to Sushinich, he had told Belgin that attacking from the front would inevitably result in huge casualties, so the best way was to see if there were any trails around that he could take advantage of. When the German army's attention was attracted by the frontal attack, they quietly entered Popkovo from the trail. Therefore, he asked specifically: "Have any measures been taken?"
"There is a cemetery northeast of Popkovo. The Germans have not deployed defensive forces in that direction. I have sent Vanya's company to sneak into the area." Belkin pointed at Popkovo again. To the west, he continued: "Here, there is a trail that passes through the woods and can directly enter the village. I ordered Saviev's third company to enter Popkovo from this direction. Because I was worried that the enemy might be in this direction. There are mines buried on the road, and I assigned the engineer platoon to the command of the third company."
Sokov was very satisfied with Belkin's arrangement. He nodded vigorously and said: "Yes, yes, Comrade Deputy Battalion Commander, even though you are engaged in political work, you always talk about yourself." I'm an outsider in the military, but judging from your deployment today, it seems quite orderly."
Hearing Sokov's praise for himself, Belkin laughed twice, and then said: "I have been with you for a long time, and I have learned a lot about the military."
Just as the two were complimenting each other, a lieutenant ran in from outside, raised his hand and saluted them and said: "Comrade commanders, the division commander invites you to go to the division headquarters."
When they heard that the division commander had invited them, they did not dare to neglect and hurriedly followed the lieutenant along the communication trench to the division headquarters of the 11th Guards Division. Sokov and Belkin walked up to the red-faced Chernyshev, raised their hands and saluted him: "Comrade division commander, Istria Battalion Commander (Deputy Commander) Sokov (Berkin) salutes you. Report!”
"Come here, comrades two battalion commanders." Chernyshov called the two battalion commanders to the wall, pointed to the map hanging on it and said: "Yesterday, our attack on Popkovo was unsuccessful. "We will continue today, and your battalion will serve as the vanguard of the division and take the lead in attacking villages and towns..."
"Comrade division commander," Sokov immediately asked after Chernyshev finished handing over the task: "I wonder what kind of support our battalion will receive when it attacks?" The purpose of his question was to find out what kind of support he would receive during the attack. Before the attack, was there artillery support? During the attack, were there tanks accompanying the charge?
"Let me introduce you," Chernyshev pointed to a colonel next to him and introduced to Sokov and the others: "This is Colonel Vasiuk, commander of the 146th Tank Brigade. When your battalion launched an attack on the village, At that time, the tanks of the tank brigade will accompany your attack. And before the attack, two artillery regiments will conduct artillery preparations for the enemy's positions for half an hour."
Although there was a tank brigade to assist in the battle, Sokov didn't know what kind of tanks the other side had, so he asked a little uneasily: "Comrade Colonel, can I ask how many tanks your tank brigade has?"
Faced with Sokov's reckless question, Vasiuk smiled and replied: "Don't worry, Comrade Major, our brigade has dozens of T-34 and KB tanks, which are fully capable of supporting you."
kb type tank, Sokov couldn't help but his eyes lit up when he heard what Vasiuk said. Although this type of tank has poor mobility and a high failure rate, it has thick armor and is resistant to beatings. Legend has it that at the beginning of the war, a KB tank of a certain tank division actually delayed a German armored division for two days. With the support of such thick-skinned tanks, there shouldn't be much problem in taking down Popkovo.
Seeing that Sokov was grinning all the time, Vasiuk couldn't help but ask: "Comrade Major, what are you laughing at?"
Sokov was shocked, and then pretended to be nonchalant and said: "Comrade Colonel, I was thinking that our battalion would follow your tanks, rush into the villages and towns, and beat up those Germans!"
"How the infantry and tanks work together, you two will discuss it later." Chernyshev raised his hand and looked at his watch and said: "The shelling of villages and towns will start in two minutes."
After there was no movement, the people in the headquarters heard the rumble of artillery coming from outside. This was the artillery of the group army firing at the German positions in the villages and towns. The unprepared German troops were caught off guard by the artillery fire, but they quickly recovered and used artillery fire to suppress the Soviet artillery positions.
Seeing that the high ground in the distance was shrouded in smoke, Sokov said to Vasiuk: "Comrade Colonel, activate all your tanks, let our soldiers sit on the tanks and charge towards Popkovo. "
"But, Comrade Major." Vasiuk pointed to the villages and towns in the distance that were not filled with flames and smoke. He frowned and said to Sokov, "Don't you see that our army's shelling has not stopped yet?"
"It will be too late to attack after the shelling stops." Sokov was afraid that the fighter plane would be fleeting, so he quickly urged Vasiuk: "I beg you, act quickly!"
Seeing Sokov's anxious look, Vasiuk felt that he was not joking. After hesitating for a moment, he nodded vigorously and said decisively: "I will give the order to the tank crews to start the tank immediately. .”
